ARE YOU SOCIAL DISTANCING???

Are you social distancing?
We are.
So far I'm doing alright with it.  A few days I have had a few moments of being sad.  Grieving might be an explanation of this sadness.  So much death.  
Some have said that there are more deaths so far this year with this, that and everything else.  They say to keep this in perspective.  This does not comfort me. 
This virus is still new and we know so little about it.  It's still killing and we know so little about it.  Not living in fear, but believe we have to respect this virus with a healthy respect toward safety and cleanliness.  
Social distancing is a must for now.
I'm not as hopeful thinking there will be a quick fix.  Not over sooner than later.
Am praying as I know many are.
Dear God, Have mercy.

Take care,
d
  

CORONAVIRUS COMMON SENSE

THESE TIPS MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE.

From a retired Respiratory Therapist on facebook.

Randy Reynolds

March 25 at 1:11 PM

CORONA Common Sense
Since they are calling on Respiratory therapist to help fight the Corona virus, and I am a retired one, too old to work in a hospital setting. I'm gonna share some common sense wisdom with those that have the virus and trying to stay home. If my advice is followed as given you will improve your chances of not ending up in the hospital on a ventilator. This applies to the otherwise generally healthy population, so use discretion. 

1. Only high temperatures kill a virus, so let your fever run high. Tylenol, Advil. Motrin, Ibuprofen etc. will bring your fever down allowing the virus to live longer. They are saying that ibuprophen, advil etc will actually exacerbate the virus. Use common sense and don't let fever go over 103 or 104 if you got the guts. If it gets higher than that take your tylenol, not ibuprophen or advil to keep it regulated. It helps to keep house warm and cover up with blankets so body does not have to work so hard to generate the heat. It usually takes about 3 days of this to break the fever. 

2. The body is going to dehydrate with the elevated temperature so you must rehydrate yourself regulaly, whether you like it or not. Gatorade with real sugar, or pedialyte with real sugar for kids, works well. Why the sugar? Sugar will give your body back the energy it is using up to create the fever. The electrolytes and fluid you are losing will also be replenished by the Gatorade. If you don't do this and end up in the hospital they will start an IV and give you D5W (sugar water) and Normal Saline to replenish electrolytes. Gatorade is much cheaper, pain free, and comes in an assortment of flavors 

3. You must keep your lungs moist. Best done by taking long steamy showers on a regular basis, if your wheezing or congested use a real minty toothpaste and brush your teeth while taking the steamy shower and deep breath through your mouth. This will provide some bronchial dialation and help loosen the phlegm. Force your self to cough into a wet wash cloth pressed firmly over your mouth and nose, which will cause greater pressure in your lungs forcing them to expand more and break loose more of the congestion. 

4. Eat healthy and regularly. Gotta keep your strength up. 

5. Once the fever breaks, start moving around to get the body back in shape and blood circulating. 

6. Deep breath on a regular basis, even when it hurts. If you don't it becomes easy to develope pneumonia. Pursed lip breathing really helps. That's breathing in deep and slow then exhaling through tight lips as if your blowing out a candle, blow until you have completely emptied your lungs and you will be able to breath in an even deeper breath. This helps keep lungs expanded as well as increase your oxygen level. 

7. Remember that every medication you take is merely relieving the symptoms, not making you well. 

8. If your still dying go to ER.

I've been doing these things for myself and my family for over 40 years and kept them out of the hospital, all are healthy and still living today.
Thank you all for sharing. We gotta help one another.

In a NUTSHELL:

1) High temps kill virus, so go as long as you can with a temperature before using Tylenol.  Do not use Ibuprofen and Advil.  Keep house warm and cover up with blanket so the body does not have to work so hard to generate heat.  Usually takes 3 days to break the fever.  

2) Stay hydrated.  With elevated temperature body will dehydrate.  Drink Gatorade with real sugar or pedialyte because sugar will give your body back the energy it is using to create the fever.

3) Keep lungs moist.  Take long steamy showers on regular basis.  Brush teeth with minty toothpaste while showering breathing through mouth.  Will loosen phlegm.

May you be healthy and stay well,

d

SWITCHING LABELS

Who doesn't KNEAD a laugh?

d

King James Version
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

RUNNING LOW ON EGGS!

I won't be running to the store for a while.  When the grocery list gets really long then I may make a trip.  It is an eery thought to me as I am social distancing and avoiding public places like the grocery store.

Doing without might not seem so daunting.

Hubby is taking a nap and I'm getting ready to do something other than sitting here.  Tis SATURDAY and the wind is blowing hard.  Temps are nice with a blue sky.

On Monday the guidelines will be adjusted as the end of 15 days to slow down the spread comes to a halt.  I suppose it will be extended.  COVID 19 cases are starting to show up in our area.

THINK I need to order some powdered eggs to fall back on if I can get my hands on some.  

Using other things instead of eggs is doable.

Blessings to you and yours,

d

THE Great Depression ONION!

THINK this needs a little clarification.

DO you mix the peanut butter into the stale bread 

and then fill the onions?

Think so.

Will have to try this and see how it turns out.

What say you?

d

THE GREAT ESCAPE

I CONFESS...today I was low in spirits.  Feeling confident up until today.  Perhaps it was my hormones.  Perhaps it was due to spending way too much time watching videos about the BIG C VIRUS.  Not sure, but I am hoping I will recover from this low and feel better tomorrow.

I dusted on the dining room floor today and need to do another round of dusting as the areas under the furniture are extremely dirty with spider webs clinging to the edges.  It's been a while since I did a deep cleaning.  This evening I hope to dust some more dusting so I am in better spirits.

It's not a difficult task to do. 

Just Do It.

This has been a challenging year as the days are slowly passing.  This VIRUS has got to go.  Lord God, I pray that you take it away and never return.

This has been really challenging to social distance myself from everybody.  I don't like it even though it's doable.  God knows when and if this will cease to exist.  

I never in my wildest dreams thought we'd be doing this.  SOCIAL DISTANCING?  What a phrase.  What an awful phrase.  6 feet apart.  

A few days ago, I tidied my freezer to take account of what was in there.  Came across some frozen turkey from THANKSGIVING.  We've had two turkey meals so far and I think a third one will be turkey sandwiches to finish off this great meat.  First meal was like THANKSGIVING.  Second was turkey pie.  Delicious and oh so good.

We've watched the 1963 Drama/History 2 hours and 33 minutes movie THE GREAT ESCAPE.  In which I would like to watch again.

Imprisoned during World War II in a German POW camp, a group of Allied soldiers are intent on breaking out, not only to escape, but also to draw Nazi forces away from battle to search for fugitives. Among the prisoners determined to escape are American Captain Virgil Hilts (Steve McQueen) and British Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett (Richard Attenborough). Outwitting their captors by digging a tunnel out of the prison grounds, the soldiers find the stakes much higher when escape becomes a reality.

ANOTHER FILM...The 1974 Historical Drama/Thriller 1 hour 50 minutes THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY.

Edward Pierce (Sean Connery) is a master thief of the Victorian Era who's never found a heist he couldn't pull off. For his next criminal operation, he plans something that has never been done before: to rob a moving train. Working with a master safecracker (Donald Sutherland) and a seductive woman (Lesley-Anne Down), Pierce devises an incredibly complex plan to break into the train's safe and steal the thousands of dollars' worth of gold that are contained within.

I'd like to watch this one again for the costuming.  Beautiful costuming.  Interesting plot.  Liked it and I will watch again to take some still pictures of the clothing.

  We must be in the mood for THE GREAT 

this and that movies,

d

STOCKING UP?

WOKE TO A GENTLE RAIN.  Overcast grey sky.  Tis a chilly 43 degrees right now.  Staying inside hibernating this week.  Saint Louis will be locking down on Monday and Kansas City on Tuesday.  Topeka is closer to where I live.  Manhattan, KS is really close...they had a confirmed coronavirus case reported on Friday.

The virus is here in my corner of the world.  

Taking precautions and waiting this out. 

WITH THE HELP OF MY COMPUTER, I'm keeping an eye on the counties around me as well as my county that are reporting virus cases.  HUNKERING DOWN as the saying goes.  If we run out of something I may just have to do without.  Is it not prudent to have a well stocked pantry all year round?  Yes, I think it is, but I do not always stay stocked up.  My sin is before me.

I confess, I was running low on paper products such as paper towels and toilet paper before this stay at home was encouraged for social distancing.  Bought some, but not loads and loads of it.  So we may run out and be without.  I was thinking about when my babies were being diapered.  I used a wash cloth to clean them.  There were no baby wipes then as I also used cloth diapers with oversized safety pins and plastic pants.

We survived.

SOCIAL DISTANCING is in the minds of many as last week when I went shopping for supplies people were avoiding close distances.  A couple women wore mask and wore gloves.  This week I will not be getting out in public if I can avoid it.  Staying HOME to continue SPRING CLEANING.  

AS FOR TODAY...Before I took my morning meds, I shaved my armpits and legs.  My super power for the morning was grooming myself.  Then I went so far as to shampoo my hair and take a shower.  Tadah.  I can rejoice.  I am now officially clean. 



I curled my wet hair with metal duckbill clips.  No curlers.  Wanted to try this technique this go round.  SO here I sit letting my hair air dry with clips in it holding rolls of my hair.  Shall see the results later in the day.  HOPE I like it. 

A while back when I went to a Beauty Supply Shop, they only had one package of these fantastic clips.  One package.  So I bought them.  Not so popular anymore?  The last time I had my hair done as a walk-in at this Beauty Supply Shop with Salon in the back, the hair stylist used them when I asked her if she was going to use curlers to curl my hair.  She said she would use curling irons and then curl them with the duckbill clips to cool off.

It worked well.

If this social distancing were not going on and we were in normal mode as closely as we could be, what would you have in your pantry?

Medicines.

Vitamins, minerals and Emergen-C powder.

Canned goods of vegetables and fruit.

Dried fruit like raisins and prunes.

Canned meat and nuts.

Dried Beans and rice.

Soups and crackers.

Ketch-up, Mustard, Salad Dressings and Mayo.

Spices.

Pasta and sauces.

Instant potatoes.

Bottled water.

Flour, sugar, brown sugar, confectioner sugar, salt, pepper, baking soda, baking powder, oil, shortening, olive oil, vinegar, quick oats, corn meal mix, honey, coffee, powdered milk, cocoa, molasses, cinnamon.

Popcorn.

Dish detergent, dish clothes, tea towels, hand towels, hot pads.

Trash bags kitchen size and bathroom.

Paper towels, aluminum foil, wax paper, plastic wrap, zip bags, glass storage containers, mixing bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons, manual can opener, mixer, blender, toaster, crock pot, skillet, baking dishes, oversized spoons, knives and kitchen scissors.

Matches and air freshener.

Dust pan and broom, mop, vacuum sweeper and bags.

Cleaning supplies like ajax powder, dusting spray, disinfectant wipes, clorax bleach, glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner, vinegar.

Laundry detergent.

Disinfectant wipes.

What else?

Grooming supplies such as hair brushes, combs, hair drier, Hair pins, curlers, bar soap/gel, deodorant, toothpaste, mouth gargle, razors, shaving cream, body lotion, soap, shampoo, conditioner, facial care, sani-pads and TOILET PAPER.  First aid kit.

WHAT ELSE?

d

IT HAPPENED

TODAY AT 2:50 PM, a alert came across my hubby's phone announcing that there is to be no social gatherings in the county due to coronavirus.  A case was identified.  One case.  By next week, there will be many more cases reported.  

From here we shall see where it goes.

HUNKERING DOWN at HOME.

Will this staying at HOME turn into months on end? 

Will this be the new NORM?

I'm guessing, but I believe it will be extended for months.

There will be no quick fix to killing the coronavirus completely off.  The 1918 Spanish FLU stayed for 3 years.  Coronavirus is not the flu.  Do the authorities really know what they are dealing with?  Not exactly.

Will our 2020 Presidential voting be affected by this?

I think so.

I will be cleaning every room of the house.  This will take me some time, but right now, I have time.  I vacuumed the dining room area rug and am getting ready to dust the chairs then dust the wood floors.  The tops of the curio cabinets need attention.  Hello.

I'm not moving very fast.  Slow as I go.  Steady and faithfully slow.

Hunkering down and praying,

d

 

SPRING 2020 ARRIVED

FIRST DAY OF SPRING with social distancing.  Making sure we are ready to stay HOME with soup to eat.  Reluctantly went to ALDI.  Quick trip in.  Quick trip out.  

They were practically O.U.T. of soup.  Was odd to see sparsely stocked shelves.  Some Tomato Soup, but no Bean With Bacon...which is what I wanted.  Picked up some and got out of Dodge.  So far the people are still civil.  No BUGGY RAMMING.  NO COUGHING.

Had disinfectant wipes on hand and wiped the cart handle.  Wiping hands frequently.  Once we got HOME the hands get a long washing.  Will gargle with warm SALT water.

I know that salt water may not kill the Coronavirus, but the salt kills a multitude of other germs.  So salt water gargle it is.

  

Soaking lettuce in salt water kills some microbes.

I THINK WE SHOULD.

Sounds like a very good idea.

This is a first for me.  I had no idea cart washer existed.

I am HUNKERING DOWN for now.  Staying HOME full-time.  Am ready now physically and spiritually.  Keeping 6 feet away from people and then some. 

When waiting in line to check out, I stand in front of my cart and distance myself from the person in front of me.  If my cart is behind me then I have some space between me and the person behind me.  I was at Walmart the other day and the guy behind me was way too close to me. This is when I thought of using my grocery cart as a barrier.

SPRING is here and I'm still deep cleaning 

at HOME.

Going to try the Mr. Clean eraser sheets cleaners on my kitchen cabinets as the paint that was used on them seems to attract dirt around the knobs.  A very ugly reality to see.  

Blessed assurance Jesus is mine.......

d

DEPRESSION ERA BREAD

GOOD TO KNOW RECIPE

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Pour flour into a large bowl.

2) Make a well in the center of the flour.

3) Add yeast to well and then add enough of the water to the well to dissolve the yeast.

4) After yeast is dissolved start adding more water and mixing in flour until you form a dough.

5) Knead dough in the bowl.

6) Let dough rise in warm place with a towel loosely covering the top.

7) After dough has risen double in size, punch the dough down and divide it up into 7 loaves.

8) Shape dough loaves and place in baking pan.

9) Let dough double in size about 60 minutes.

10) Make slits in dough for beauty.

11) Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

OR THIS RECIPE:

INGREDIENTS:
4 cups flour
2 cups warm water
2Tbsps. yeast

INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Pour flour into a large bowl and create a hole in the center of flour.
2) Pour the yeast and warm water in the center, then combine with the flour until you you form a ball.
3) Cover with a towel and allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
4) Knead the dough and split into two loaves then allow to rise one more time.
5) Bake at 300 degrees until golden.

Blessings to you and yours,

d

Matthew 4:4 King James Version (KJV)

But he answered and said, 

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

REMEMBERING THE POLIO SCARE

SOCIAL DISTANCING

As a child I remember going to a small doctor's office in Liberal, Kansas to stand in line to be given a sugar cube containing the polio vaccine.  This was in the day that the doctor's office with a small lobby did not have the appearance of a health spa.  BASIC white walls with simple chairs in what was a small lobby.  A Nurse was the receptionist that led you to a long narrow exam room where the Doctor took a look at you.  There'd be a white medicine cabinet with a glass door front standing tall holding the supplies.  An exam table.  Lights.
  

DO YOU REMEMBER?  I was too young to see this.

During the POLIO SCARE we stood in the lobby, took our sugar cube and left on our merry way.  I did not see the horrific damage Polio did to humans other than one High School friend that walked with a limp.  I did not hear of people in Liberal that had suffered the disease.  Small Town Blessings in a big bad world.

I was blessed to not get POLIO.  Stricken with Rheumatic Fever at age 6.  Bed rest for three months and long after this pampering.  

This makes me think that my siblings and I have not been without many health challenges.  My oldest brother developed Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever as a child after a tick bite.  He was about 12 years old at the time.  High temperatures caused him to be admitted to a Hospital where he nearly died.  Say what you will but I believe this caused brain damage leading to other mental health challenges. 

My sister had difficulty conceiving.  She'd develop an disease called QUINSY which is a horrible throat infection that you may not have heard of.  Because there was another woman in the same town that she lived in had the same name, the attending Doctor did not want to see her as the other woman was a hypochondriac that continually sought medical attention draining the doctor's energy.  Sister was admitted to the Hospital receiving medical attention after my Brother in law visited with the doctor that his wife was not the other woman.  Also Sister had difficulty conceiving.  She would eventually conceive after much testing.  She'd have two babies 11 months apart.  Doubly blessed.  

Youngest brother is probably the healthiest of us all.  Some allergies, but no earth moving diseases.  He walked home in the cold once and nearly developed frost bite.  

TRAIN WHISTLE SOUNDING OFF IN THE DISTANCE.  Sitting in my living room getting ready to sip on some hot coffee.  Looking outside from my chair to see soft grey skies full of moisture for SPRING approaching on Thursday.

The first signs of SPRING.  Seeing OKLAHOMA daffodils, jonquils, and grape hyacinth this past week-end was refreshing amongst the overwhelming news about the C virus.  When I see these flowers appearing, I think of the first signs of SPRING.  Gives me a boost as it has been a very long WINTER.  Hubby retired, I fell sick in December.  Adjusting to NO PAY CHECK. Continued ill into January.  Water backed up into the basement.  Heater motor went caput. February, I wrestled with Asthma.  A brother in Law died from Liver Cancer.  Crown replacement on tooth.  March blew in with the Coronavirus.  So to see these vibrantly colored daffodils was a blessing and a half.  A cheery thing.

The Coronavirus is real.  This is a time like none I have experienced.  The world is closing up shop for a time.  As you all know, this is 2020 and we are facing something we don't completely understand.

We are hunkering down for the time being as best we can.  Taking Emergency-C in small amount of water. Started gargling with warm salt water.  Gummy daily vitamins.  Frequently WASH my hands with soap and extra warm water like never before.  Wash, wash, wash.  Pray.  Thought and continued cleaning.

Instead of getting out in the world, we're having our meds delivered to our HOME.  A first ever.  

I am staying HOME.  Are you?  Social distancing.  Talked to my Mom the other day. She's not staying HOME at 87.  When I talk to her again I will have to tell her if she gets ill I will not be able to come see her as I have horrible Asthma which makes me somewhat vulnerable to getting ill easier.  I have to take care of myself even if she doesn't understand why I am not visiting her every week.

She scolded me that I did not call her enough.  I call and she is not HOME to receive the call.  SO I get scolded even when I try to call her.  Makes for some frustration.  What I can do is never good enough for some folks and others want to criticize.    

NOW it is time to close my eyes for a few minutes and rest.
God Bless,
d  

SMILES ANYWAY

SUNDAY HUMOR

Love this image of a very dedicated woman singing with passion at a church service.  The young boy is amazed by what he is hearing.  Makes me smile when I look at this.

I recall many a time that I witnessed personalities that were inspired by worship music and got into the grove of things.  FEELING the beat and proclaiming the message of God's LOVE and HIS majesty.

What could be more invigorating than a middle aged women dressed in her best singing amongst friends and family the glories of God in the highest.

Speaking of little boys,

GRAND lost his first tooth 

and I was there to witness it.

How thrilling is that!

We went to OKLAHOMA to spend some time with FAMILY for a few days.  
Had a nice time.

Stocked up on toilet paper, paper towels and tissues 

while we were there.  Better safe than sorry.
Now we will hibernate and stay HOME 
to do our part in fighting this coronavirus.

Blessings,

d

ALMOST LIKE A SPRING DAY!

It was nice to wake before the alarm buzzed off.  
5 is early for me.  Took a SHOWER and shampooed my hair.  Waddled down the stairs, covered with a plush blanket and sat in my recliner to comb out my do.  Fell back asleep waiting for the sun to come out.

I thought this picture makes for a cheery door hanging idea.  I'd have to purchase two matching umbrellas and a bundle of fake tulips to make this jewell happen.  Not sure I want to spend my RETIREMENT MONEY this way as I need to count pennies for a bit.  We're still transitioning from a pay check to social security.  

My HEALTH INSURANCE has a hefty price tag to it until I turn 65 in JULY.  I think I will rejoice when I have crossed over from COBRA to MEDICARE.  COBRA is challenging to pay.  Gotta do it.  Will it be a sigh of relief to be on MEDICARE?  Thoughts.    

Tis almost the middle of MARCH and SPRING begins on the 20th.  I am ready to say the least.  This has been a super long WINTER from the start.  WEATHER started turning cold at HALLOWEEN. THANKSGIVING was flat cold then the middle of December I started sniffling with watery eyes turning into a full blown hacking cough.  Flu hit New Year's Eve and I was down for the count.  Asthma flared up and two rounds of anti-biotic were taken.  Still coughing and trying to not look obvious while coughing.  Staying HOME.

Tis sunshiny outside and I want to take in some fresh air.  I have an oversized pillow cover that needs returned to BED BATH and BEYOND so I will have to work this in later in the day.  Take an hour to get outside and see a change of view.  

BUT FIRST, I want to eat a SALAD for LUNCH.  Yogurt.  Strawberry Banana so creamy it's like a dessert.  

TIME CHANGE.
Saint PATTY's DAY.
SPRING.

I maybe ought to apply some make-up on my 'ole face and smile real BIG.

Last night we watched a 2016 comedy with Kelsey Grammar, BREAKING THE BANK.  Liked it.  Light hearted enough.  Will watch again.  Wish more movies were made like this as too many are murderous, killing, foul mouthed films. 

No NUDITY.
No foul language.
No killing.
May not be clean enough for the FAMILY.  
Some indication of mature subject matter.

BLESSINGS and all the BEST,

d  

Commit thy way unto the Lord; 

trust also in him; 

and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:5 King James Version (KJV)